Electric vehicles to increase demand for LED automotive lighting in China in 2018

Jan 15, 2018: In China, electric vehicles (EVs) are likely to drive growth for LED lighting and push its penetration into automotive lighting in 2018.

According to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China-based auto manufacturers have manufactured 24.81 million passenger cars and 4.21 million commercial vehicles in 2017, growing 1.58% and 13.81% on year. About 24.72 million passenger cars and 4.16 million commercial vehicles were sold in China in 2017, increasing 1.40% and 13.95% respectively. This is increasing demand for LED automotive lighting.

Sales percentage of EVs have risen by over 50% on year, which amounted to about 800,000 units in 2017, and sales volume in 2018 are likely to increase to 1.5-2.0 million units.

With China government offering incentives for R&D of EVs, subsidized establishment of power charging infrastructure and extended tax exemption for buying vehicles to 2020, several companies, including GCL, Dahua, Baoneng, Gree and ZTE, have stepped into EV production. This will significantly increase demand for LED lighting. EVs equipped with LED automotive lighting is significantly higher than that of fuel-powered cars. LED headlight penetration in EVs is also expected to rise in 2018, reports Digitimes.